Welcome to the Stratford Library Adult Department.
September Adult Programs
FEATURED PROGRAMS:
TURKISH COFFEE TASTING
Saturday, September 13 | 11am | Lovell Room
Immerse yourself in the world of Turkish Coffee. Savor the rich flavors of authentic coffee along with Turkish Delight and snacks, while gaining a deeper understanding and appreciation for this beloved aspect of Anatolian culture.
Presented by Peace Islands Institute Connecticut (PII-CT), an international nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting cross-cultural conversations and fostering a more peaceful, inclusive, and equitable society.
Registration requiredPROPAGATION STATION – Houseplant Swap
Thursday, September 25 | 6pm | Lobby
Join our houseplant cutting swap! Bring cuttings from your houseplant to our Propagation Station and trade plant babies. It’s a great chance to share your love for plants, connect with fellow enthusiasts, exchange tips, and grow your indoor garden. All plant lovers from beginners to experts are welcome!
Registration requiredWORKSHOPS:
Workshop: AARP SAFE DRIVER COURSE
Saturday, September 13| 10am | Board Room
The Stratford Library, in conjunction with the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), will offer another session of the “AARP Safe Driver Course”, a classroom driver retraining program designed to help older persons improve their driving skills. The one-day class program is the first comprehensive driver retraining course geared to the specific needs of older motorists.
Persons 50 years of age or older are eligible to participate and will receive a certificate of completion at the end of instruction. The course is limited to 20 participates only and there is a nominal fee of $20 for AARP members and $25 for non-members charged by the AARP.
Reservations required
Workshop: Macramé Wall Hanging
Saturday, September 20 | 10:30am | Lovell Room
Craft instructor Tina Sarno will guide you in how to make your own macramé wall hanging even if you are new to the craft!
Limited to 20 participants.
Registration required
Pop Art Workshop
Tuesday, September 23 | 5:30pm | Lovell Room
American Pop artist Michael Albert will give a short talk and presentation followed by a hands-on collage workshop. Participants will have the chance to create their own masterpieces using Albert’s materials of choice, namely cereal boxes and other colorful cardboard package. Open to all ages!
Registration required
Workshop: Chair Yoga & Guided Meditation
Thursday, September 25 | 12:30pm | Lovell Room
Instructor Laurie Trupp leads this unique one hour class that combines gentle chair yoga poses with relaxing guided meditation at the beginning and end of class. The yoga poses will be done seated, as well as standing with the chair used as a prop for balance.
Registration required
Gardening Workshop: Putting Your Gardens to Bed
Saturday, September 27 | 11am | Lovell Room
Prepare your garden for a restful winter and a flourishing spring! Discover how to extend the life of your perennials, prepare your vegetable beds for next season, and ensure a vibrant return when spring arrives. Join Master Gardener Giulia Gambale to learn best practices for cleaning up your garden and yard and setting them up for success in the spring!
Registration required
CAREER & TECH HELP:
Career Coach: RESUMES & COVER LETTERS
Monday, September 8, 10am to 12pm & 1pm to 3pm | Career Coach Bus parks on Main Street near the library front entrance.
Make your resume shine and position yourself to stand out in the crowd of job-seekers. Don’t forget to bring a copy of your current resume so you can get tips to create a powerful, up-to-date document to land your dream job interview!
Register HERE for 10am-12pm session
Register HERE for 1-3pm session
BOOK DISCUSSIONS:
Monday Morning Buzz
Monday, September 8 | 11am | Lovell Room
Stop in to hear what’s new, what’s hot, and what books are creating a buzz! Staff will lead an informal discussion of books, movies and more. Share what you’re reading and watching and hear from others!
Little Gems Book Discussion
Wednesday, September 10 | 11am | Lovell Room
Join the “Little Gems” adult book discussion of The Full Moon Coffee Shop by Mai Mochizuki. Translated from the Japanese bestseller, a charming and magical novel that reminds us it’s never too late to follow our stars. In this charming contemporary fantasy, five characters’ lives intersect. A mysterious pop-up coffee shop helps the characters adapt, move forward, and appreciate their lives.
Copies available at the Checkout Desk, and as a downloadable on Libby.
Registration required
Book Over Coffee
Wednesday, September 24 | 12 noon | Lovell Room
The Collected Regrets of Clover by Mikki Brammer – a big-hearted and life-affirming debut about a death doula who, in caring for others at the end of their life, has forgotten how to live her own. Probing, clever, and hopeful, this novel serves as an important reminder that grief and love are two sides of the same coin.
Copies available at the Check-Out Desk.
Wordy Under 30
Tuesday, September 30 | 6pm | Lovell Room
New book discussion group for adults ages 21 to 30! We’ll read whatever members are interested in reading. Meetings will be fun and relaxed – just conversation and snacks. With this group, we hope to cultivate community and practice making time in our busy lives for activities like reading that bring us wonder and peace.
This month we’re reading Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt, a charming and compulsively readable debut novel about a widow’s unlikely friendship with a giant Pacific octopus reluctantly residing at the local aquarium–and the truths she finally uncovers about her son’s disappearance 30 years ago.
Copies available at the Check-Out Deck
For questions, email Gawain at: gmosher@stratfordlibrary.org.or call: 203.395.4161CREATE:
Knit Wits
Wednesday, September 3 & 17 | 6pm | Lovell Room
Join the library’s drop-in knitting program! Also crochet! Make new friends, get tips and share ideas while working on your own projects.
Held every other Wednesday evening 6:00-7:30pm.
Unwind Your Mind
Monday, September 8 | 6pm | Lovell Room
Drop in the first Monday of the month and unwind from your day.
There will be coloring supplies, a big puzzle to work on, craft supplies to play around with, and snacks! Do your own thing or work together, it’s all good.Crocheting
Wednesday, September 24 | 6pm | Children’s Program Room
Ages 9+ (adults and teens welcome).
Learn basic crochet stitches like single and double chain or bring questions about your current project. This class is perfect for both beginners and others looking to advance their skills. Materials provided.
Registration required
MOVIES:
Continue reading →
JURASSIC WORLD REBIRTH
Monday, September 15 | 12pm | Lovell Room
Five years after the events of Jurassic World Dominion, the planet’s ecology has proven largely inhospitable to dinosaurs. Those remaining exist in isolated equatorial environments with climates resembling the one in which they once thrived. The three most colossal creatures across land, sea and air within that tropical biosphere hold, in their DNA, the key to a drug that will bring miraculous life-saving benefits to humankind.
Rated PG-13, 133 minutes
August Adult Programs
ADULT SUMMER READING 2025
June 1st – August 10th
Summer reading isn’t just for kids!
There’s still time to join our Adult Reading challenge and
enter to win our prize drawing for gift cards.FEATURED PROGRAMS:
Author Talk: ROBIN MCCARTHY AREHART
Friday, August 8 | 3pm | Lovell Room
Curious about writing for kids or teens, improving your craft, or self-publishing? Interested in a teen book about activism, the environment, and climate anxiety? Join Stratford native Robin McCarthy Arehart to hear about her self-published young adult novel Ecofreak.
Robin Arehart writes poems, stories, and articles, and gives talks about life and teaching. She developed her craft through her participation in the Connecticut Writing Project, UCLA Extension Writers Program classes, and Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI) workshops.
Concert: SAINT In-Person
Saturday, August 9 | 2pm | Lovell Room
Stratford’s own singer/musician returns to the Library! The Stratford Library will present Stratford singer Saint (Thierry Coriolan-Beauregard) in a special concert tour, “A Cry for Peace & A Shout for Love.” Through his music, Saint’s dream is to positively impact all people groups by sharing songs that bring hope and love around the world. His songs and melodies are like peaceful waves of compassion and love that uplift his audiences.
COOKBOOK SWAP
Saturday, August 16 | 11am | Lovell Room
Are your classic recipes starting to feel a little bit stale? Do you have any cookbooks that you don’t use anymore? Are you looking for new recipes? Bring your cookbooks (gently used, stain free, and no missing pages, please), leave with new-to-you cookbooks!
This is a drop-in event and registration is not required. Light refreshments will be provided.
New recipes, new meals, new acquaintances – opportunities to cook up something great!
SPICE UP YOUR SUMMER
Monday, August 18 | Reference Department
Stop by the Reference Desk and pick up a “Spice Up Your Summer: Urfa Biber Grab & Go kit”. Urfa biber, also known as isot pepper, is a Turkish chili pepper known for its deep, smoky flavor with notes of chocolate. It adds a unique dimension to a variety of dishes. Each kit contains a sample of the spice plus information and recipes to try.
Beginning Monday, August 18, you can stop at the Reference Desk to pick up a kit.
There is no registration. Kits are first come, first served. Supplies are limited. One kit per household.PROPAGATION STATION – Houseplant Swap
Thursday, August 28 | 6pm | Lobby
Join our houseplant cutting swap! Bring cuttings from your houseplant to our Propagation Station and trade plant babies. It’s a great chance to share your love for plants, connect with fellow enthusiasts, exchange tips, and grow your indoor garden. All plant lovers from beginners to experts are welcome!WORKSHOP:
Workshop: KICKSTART YOUR HEALTH: The Power of Food for Healthy Weight Management, Lower Cholesterol, and Increased Metabolism
Thursdays | 2pm | Lovell Room
August 7 – Chef Linda discusses today’s topic: Healthy Blood Pressure.
Registration is required.CAREER & TECH HELP:
Career Coach: COMPUTER BASICS
Monday, August 11, 10am to 12pm & 1pm to 3pm | Career Coach Bus parks on Main Street near the library front entrance.
Learn what you need to know to feel comfortable using a computer. Our experienced job search coach will guide you throughout the workshop, providing one-on-one assistance tailored to your unique needs and goals.
Register HERE for 10am-12pm session
Register HERE for 1-3pm session
BOOK DISCUSSIONS:Monday Morning Buzz
Monday, August 4 | 11am | Lovell Room
Stop in to hear what’s new, what’s hot, and what books are creating a buzz! Staff will lead an informal discussion of books, movies and more. Share what you’re reading and watching and hear from others!
Book Club: WORDY UNDER 30
Thursday, August 14 | 6pm | Lovell Room
Wordy Under 30 is an exciting new book club for young adults coming to Stratford Library! Anybody from 21 to 30 is warmly invited to join. We’ll meet once a month, and we’ll read whatever members are interested in reading! Meetings will be fun and relaxed – no rigid structures or pre-written guides, just conversation (and free food). With this group, we hope to cultivate community and practice making time in our busy lives for activities like reading that bring us wonder and peace.
For questions, email Gawain at: gmosher@stratfordlibrary.org.or call: 203.395.4161
We look forward to seeing you at our interest meeting on August 14!Books on Tap (BOT)
Books, Brews, and Bantor
Tuesday, August 19 | 7pm to settle, 7:30pm to talk
Join us at the Whiskey Barrel located at 251 E. Main St, Stratford.
We will be discussing The Sing Sing Files: One Journalist, Six Innocent Men, and a Twenty-Year Fight for Justice by Dan Slepian, an NBC Dateline producer’s cinematic account of his two-decade journey navigating the broken criminal justice system to help free six innocent men. Slepian’s extraordinary book, at once painful and full of hope, shines a light on an injustice whose impact the nation has only begun to confront.
Copies available at the Checkout Desk.CREATE:
Knit Wits
Wednesday, August 6 & 20 | 6pm | Lovell Room
Join the library’s drop-in knitting program! Also crochet! Make new friends, get tips and share ideas while working on your own projects.
Held every other Wednesday evening 6:00-7:30pm.
MOVIES:
Deadpool & Wolverine
Monday, August 4 | 12pm | Lovell Room
In this multiverse story Deadpool is approached by a man named Paradox who intends on vaporizing his entire universe because apparently it’s not supposed to go on living without the now deceased hero Wolverine. Deadpool kidnaps another version of Wolverine to replace but this only results in Paradox banishing both Deadpool and Wolverine.
Rated R, 128 minutes
Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice
Monday, August 18 | 12pm | Lovell Room
After an unexpected family tragedy, three generations of the Deetz family return home to Winter River. Still haunted by Beetlejuice, Lydia’s life is turned upside down when her rebellious teenage daughter, Astrid, discovers the mysterious model of the town in the attic and the portal to the Afterlife is accidentally opened. With trouble brewing in both realms, it’s only a matter of time until someone says Beetlejuice’s name three times and the mischievous demon returns to unleash his very own brand of mayhem.
Rated PG-13, 105 minutes
July Adult Programs
ADULT SUMMER READING 2025
June 1st – August 10thSummer reading isn’t just for kids.
Join our Adult Reading challenge & enter to win our prize drawing for gift cards.FEATURED PROGRAMS
KARATE FOR ADULTS
Monday, July 14 | 12pm | Lovell Room
Sam Diaz from Stratford Shotokan Karate will be here to inspire us with some karate moves and share information on the benefits of learning this martial art.
Register HEREPROPAGATION STATION – Houseplant Swap
Thursday, July 17 | 6pm | Lobby
Join our houseplant cutting swap! Bring cuttings from your houseplant to our Propagation Station and trade plant babies. It’s a great chance to share your love for plants, connect with fellow enthusiasts, exchange tips, and grow your indoor garden. All plant lovers from beginners to experts are welcome!SPICE UP YOUR SUMMER:
Monday, July 21 | Reference Department
Stop by the Reference Desk and pick up a “Spice Up Your Summer: Pimenton Dulce Grab & Go kit”. Each kit contains a sample of the spice plus information and recipes to try.
Beginning Monday, July 21, you can stop at the Reference Desk to pick up a kit. There is no registration. Kits are first come, first served. Supplies are limited. One kit per household.LIGHT SABER TRAINING for Adults & Teens
Saturday, July 26 | 12:15pm | Lovell Room
Learn about the ways of the Force and how to wield a lightsaber from real Jedi Masters. Kessel Temple is the Connecticut chapter of Saber Guild, an international Star Wars lightsaber performance organization. Costumes encouraged!
Register HERE
WORKSHOPS:Workshop: AARP SAFE DRIVER COURSE
Saturday, July 12 | 10am | Lovell Room
The Stratford Library, in conjunction with the American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), will offer another session of the “AARP Safe Driver Course”, a classroom driver retraining program designed to help older persons improve their driving skills. The one-day class program is the first comprehensive driver retraining course geared to the specific needs of older motorists.
Reservations is required.Workshop: KICKSTART YOUR HEALTH: The Power of Food for Healthy Weight Management, Lower Cholesterol, and Increased Metabolism
Thursdays | 2pm | Lovell Room
July 17 – Chef Linda discusses today’s topic: The Power Plate (introduction to the benefits of plant-based eating)
July 31 – Breaking the Food Seduction + Appetite Control
August 7 – Healthy Blood Pressure.
Registration is required.
THEATRE:READERS THEATRE SUMMER SHOWCASE 2025:
The Square One Theatre Company, in conjunction with the Stratford Library, returns with its annual program of live, staged readings of new plays! Free and Open to the public. Adult audiences, please.- FATHERLAND by Stephen Sachs
Thursday, July 3 | 7pm | Lovell Room
In FATHERLAND a son works with the FBI to turn in his father for his MAGA activities on January 6. This is Stephen Sachs’ true courtroom drama.
- LADY JIGSAW by Stuart Brown
Thursday, July 10 | 7pm | Lovell Room
West Hartford playwright Stuart Brown returns to the Library with his original play about residents in an assisted living facility. Actors Lucy Babbitt, Mary Ellen Maloney, TJ Chila and Bruce Murray star.
- CONVERSATIONS WITH MOTHER by Matthew Lombardo
Wednesday, July 16 | 7pm | Lovell Room
A family comedy about a mother and her gay son’s relationship through the years.
- LUCY by by Erica Schmidt
Thursday, July 24 | 7pm | Lovell Room
Comedic thriller about an overworked mom and the odd nanny she hires to watch her child. Danielle Sultini and Michelle Duncan will perform the reading directed by Tom Holehan. - LEFT ON TENTH by Delia Ephron
Wednesday, July 30 | 7pm | Lovell Room
Delia Ephron’s touching memoir about finding love late in life is transferred to the stage.
Theatre: TWELFTH NIGHT
Saturday, July 12 | 2pm | Library Courtyard
Hudson Shakespeare returns to Stratford with a delightful production of the Bard’s romantic comedy, TWELFTH NIGHT. Bring a lawn chair or blanket to spread in the Library Courtyard. In the event of rain, performance will be held in the Library Lovell Room. Free and open to the public!
CONCERTS:
“TUNES & TALES FROM CONNECTICUT”
Monday, July 7 | 7pm | Lovell Room
Kent Besocke, a Connecticut singer-songwriter, brings his unique program, “Tunes & Tales from Connecticut,” to the Library!
This engaging program blends captivating storytelling with well-crafted songs, exploring the fascinating characters, local history, strange occurrences, legends, myths, mysteries, and folklore of our Nutmeg State. The music features acoustic guitar, 5-string banjo, and mandolin, creating a rich and evocative soundscape.
THE FRANK PORTO BAND
Monday, July 14 | 7pm | Lovell Room
The Frank Porto Band returns to the Library! They have a Vibrant Big Sound playing hit music from The Great American Song Book featuring songs: from Sinatra and Big Band Classics to The Beatles, The 4 Seasons and James Brown. TFPB members include: Frank DeVito on Sax and Clarinet, Fred Mariano on Trumpet and Flugelhorn, Jim Olbrys on Guitar, Don Hurta on Bass, Ken Ginsberg on Drums and John Noonan on Vocals.
NEW ENGLAND GUITAR SOCIETY
Saturday, July 19 | 2pm | Lovell Room
NEGS returns to the Stratford Library for their annual mid-summer concert!CAREER & TECH HELP:
Career Coach: AI FOR JOB SEEKERS
Monday, July 14, 10am to 12pm & 1pm to 3pm | Career Coach Bus parks on Main Street near the library front entrance.
This workshop will introduce you to the basics of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and demonstrate how it can empower your job search efforts. The same material is covered in both sessions.
Register HERE for 10am-12pm session
Register HERE for 1-3pm session
BOOK DISCUSSIONS:Monday Morning Buzz
Monday, July 7 | 11am | Lovell Room
Stop in to hear what’s new, what’s hot, and what books are creating a buzz! Staff will lead an informal discussion of books, movies and more. Share what you’re reading and watching and hear from others!Books on Tap (BOT)
Books, Brews, and Bantor
Tuesday, July 8 | 7pm to settle, 7:30pm to talk
Join us at the Whiskey Barrel located at 251 E. Main St, Stratford.
We will be discussing I Hope This Finds You Well by Natalie Sue. In this wildly funny and heartwarming office comedy, an admin worker accidentally gains access to her colleagues’ private emails and DMs and decides to use this intel to save her job—a laugh-till-you-cry debut novel you’ll be eager to share with your entire list of contacts.
Copies available at the Checkout Desk.Little Gems
Wednesday, July 9 | 11am | Lovell Room
Join the adult book discussion of Fair Play by Tove Jansson. A New York Review Books Original Winner of the 2009 Bernard Shaw Prize for Translation. A novel about two older women, a writer and artist, who work side-by-side in their Helsinki studios, travel together and share summers on a remote island. It is the type of love story that is rarely told, a revelatory depiction of contentment, hard-won and exhilarating.
Copies available at the Checkout Desk.
CREATE:Knit Wits
Wednesday, July 9 & 23 | 6pm | Lovell Room
Join the library’s drop-in knitting program! Also crochet! Make new friends, get tips and share ideas while working on your own projects.
Held every other Wednesday evening 6:00-7:30pm.
MOVIES:
A Complete Unknown
Monday, July 7 | 12pm | Lovell Room
New York, 1961. A young Bob Dylan (Timothée Chalamet) arrives with his guitar and revolutionary talent, forging relationships with music icons on his meteoric rise which culminates in a groundbreaking and controversial performance that reverberates worldwide
Rated R, 141 minutes- Dune Part Two
Monday, July 21 | 12pm | Lovell Room
Dune: Part Two explores the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a warpath of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, he endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee.
Rated PG-13, 166 minutes
- FATHERLAND by Stephen Sachs
